Fresh Dialogue
The State of Design: Community Forum

Kwame is a creative executive and entrepreneur with a career spanning advertising, fashion, and philanthropy.

He co-founded Kin, a creative company that drives positive change in business and culture for clients such as Intuit Mailchimp, Delta Air Lines, Uber, Ben & Jerry’s, and the Obama Foundation, to name a few. Kin was named AdAge’s Purpose-Led Agency of the Year, Silver, in 2022.

Kwame’s work has garnered recognition from industry organizations, including The Emmys, D&AD, One Show, ADC, LIA, Andys, Clios, Shots, and Cannes. For his achievements, Kwame was included in Adweek’s Creative 100 list in 2022, Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 list in 2020, Crain’s New York’s list of Notable Black Leaders in 2021, and was inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement in 2019.

Kwame is currently serving as President of D&AD, the globally renowned nonprofit that represents the pinnacle of creative excellence. He is also on the board of directors for SATURDAY MORNING, a nonprofit he co-founded in 2016 to shift perceptions of racial bias and injustice.

Jolene is the Founder and Creative Director of The Working Assembly, her design work has been recognized by Print, D&AD, Dieline, The One Show, and Fast Company. She has been named to the Forbes Next 1000 entrepreneur list and Adweek Creative 100 honoring the most innovative and inspiring individuals. Jolene is passionate about bridging the gap in creativity and tech by investing, advising, and prioritizing founder diversity. In 2022, Jolene became the owner of a 1950’s ice cream shop in Stone Ridge, New York, called Cherries.

Sarah is the Co-CEO and Creative Leader for Beardwood&Co, an independent, woman and queer-owned branding agency based in New York City, illumining possibilities to amplify brand growth. With a focus on big, creative ideas made to thrive in the real world, Sarah and team partner with clients to achieve brilliant outcomes, without the egos or silos often found in the agency world. She has led creative for global brands including Westin, Pottery Barn, Danone, Hello Products, and the nation’s largest affordable housing non-profit, Enterprise Community Partners.

In addition to leading Beardwood&Co, Sarah serves as the President of AIGA NY, where she has served on the volunteer board for 3+ years supporting the mission of “Championing the Future of Design for All” through organizing and hosting community-based events. She is a Mom, loves to run, and trek in the woods as much as the streets of NYC for inspiration.

Archie spent much of his childhood memorizing commercial jingles and replicating the wit of cartoonist Gary Larson. Since then, he has been inspired by visual artists like Romare Bearden, Faith Ringgold, Ed Ruscha, and Kara Walker as well as graphic storytellers Aaron Douglas, George Lois, Saul Bass, Barbara Kruger, and Emory Douglas – all brilliant minds who mastered the art of weaving meaning into a single, magnificent visual. Still a fan of stories told simply, Archie leads Spotify Advertising’s Creative Studio as its Global Director.

The first ten years of Archie’s career began as a silent madman at advertising agencies such as Publicis, Y&R, BBDO, and Arnold NYC — crafting ads and driving business results for iconic brands. Prior to Spotify, Archie spent 12 years in media – building two of the most inventive branded content studios in the industry, One X Studios at Urban One, LLC and the Content Innovation Agency at NBCUniversal.

As an award-winning, multidisciplinary creative with degrees in graphic design, advertising and brand strategy from Howard University, The Portfolio Center and School of Visual Arts (respectively), Archie continues to look for fresh, unexpected ways to illuminate truth and beauty. Outside of directing art + sound, absorbing pop culture and perfecting his sports analogies, he enjoys spending time with his family at their Brooklyn home.